Here we go again: Astros are one loss from setting franchise record

Having lost their last 11 games and 10 straight to the division rival Rangers, the Astros are in desperate need of a win.

Putting losing streaks aside though, history is at stake for the club in tonight’s series finale in Arlington.

With one more defeat, the Astros will set a franchise record for losses for the third consecutive season.

Prior to 2011, the team had never lost 100 games in a season. That year the Astros went 56-106. Last season, they were one game worse at 55-107. After Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Rangers, the Astros are 51-107 with four games to play.

Avoiding loss No. 108 tonight won’t be easy. The Rangers, who are in the thick of the wild-card race, have won 16 of 18 games against the Astros this season. In the last 10 meetings, Texas has outscored the Astros 67-28.

The Astros will send southpaw Dallas Keuchel (6-9, 4.99 ERA) to the mound tonight. The Rangers will counter with a lefty of their own, Martin Perez (9-5, 3.54). Perez struck out a career-high eight while throwing a four-hitter in a 6-1 win at Houston on Aug. 11.

The Astros are off Thursday and will wrap up the season with a three-game series beginning Friday against the Yankees at Minute Maid Park.